3.35.1 – Procedure – Credit for Prior Learning

Part 1: Purpose Awarding Credit for Prior Learning

This procedure defines the steps and requirements for implementation of Policy 3.35 for evaluating and granting undergraduate credit to a student admitted to Lake Superior College (LSC).

Subpart A: Advanced Placement (AP)

AP is a program of The College Board through which a secondary student completes college-level courses that are designated as AP in high schools. The AP examinations, which are scored on a 5-point scale, can be taken by any student who feels prepared by independent study or other preparation as well as by students who complete AP courses.

1. Students must arrange for an official report of AP examination scores to be sent to the LSC Records Department to receive college credit.
2. Scores of 3 or higher on the College Board AP examination will be awarded for lower division course credit. LSC will grant equivalent course credit for a specific college course for each AP examination that covers substantially similar material.
3. Equivalent course credits may be applied to certificate, diploma, and/or degree programs as either a required course or as an elective course.

Subpart B: International Baccalaureate (IB)

The IB program is an internationally recognized program through which a secondary student completes a comprehensive curriculum of rigorous study and demonstrates performance on IB examinations. A student may present a full IB diploma or certificate recognizing specific higher level or standard level examination scores.

1. Students must provide an official IB certificate or diploma to LSC Records Department to receive college credit.
2. LSC will grant credits in accordance with applicable Minnesota State policies.
3. Equivalent course credits may be applied to certificate, diploma, and/or degree programs as either a required course or as an elective course.

Subpart C: College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

CLEP is a testing program of The College Board designed to measure prior learning and mastery of introductory (lower division) college course material in particular subject areas.

1. The Testing Center at LSC administers the CLEP exams.
2. Students must arrange for an official report of CLEP examination scores to be sent to the LSC Records Department from The College Board to receive credit.
3. LSC will grant credits for an equivalent course when a CLEP examination covers material that is substantially similar to an existing lower division course.
4. LSC will grant college credit to students who earn a score of 50 or higher on CLEP examinations, with the exception of Level 2 foreign-language examinations, for which a minimum score of 60 for German language (effective spring 2008), 59 for French language (effective spring 2008), and 65 for Spanish language with writing (effective fall 2007) is required.
5. Retesting process will follow the CLEP requirements.
6. Search “CLEP” on the LSC website for the complete and current list of CLEP exams and minimum score requirements.
7. Equivalent course credits may be applied to certificate, diploma, and/or degree programs as either a required course or as an elective course.
8. No LSC specific fee will be charged in addition to the CLEP testing fee.

Subpart D: DSST/DANTES

DSST is a testing program of Prometric, designed to measure prior learning in a variety of disciplines with 37 unique subjects.

1. The Testing Center at LSC administers the DSST exams.
2. Students must arrange for an official report of DSST examination scores to be sent to the LSC Records Department from Prometric to receive credit.
3. LSC will grant credits for an equivalent course when a DSST examination covers material that is substantially similar to an existing lower division course.
4. LSC will grant college credit to students who earn a minimum score recommended by American Council on Education on DSST examinations.
5. Equivalent course credits may be applied to certificate, diploma, and/or degree programs as either a required course or as an elective course.
6. No LSC specific fee will be charged in addition to the DANTES testing fee.

Subpart E: Credit by Exam (course test out)

1. Students should complete the credit by exam request form found at lsc.edu/records.
2. The test out option is not available to a student for a course they have attempted for credit in the past.
3. The test out option is not available for all courses.
4. Tests are course specific exams created by faculty members based on the objectives of the course.
5. A set per credit fee will be charged to take the exam.

Subpart F: Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Provides student opportunity to obtain credit for college-level knowledge gained through prior work, education, and life experiences through documentation and demonstration of prior learning.

1. Students should complete the PLA request form found at lsc.edu/records.
2. The student will meet with an academic advisor to determine readiness and initiate process for a course-specific prior learning assessment.
3. A student portfolio may be required that demonstrates mastery of the course outcomes.
4. Portfolio review may not be available for all courses.
5. Prior learning shall be assessed by faculty in the discipline appropriate to the student assessment request. A course outline may be required for faculty review.
6. Prior learning assessments are Pass/NC and will be on the transcript as such.
7. A set per credit fee will be charged for the faculty assessment.

Subpart G: Military Experience Credit

1. Student should request that their official military transcript be sent to the LSC Records Department.
2. The Registrar may consult with other departments or division regarding the transferability and applicability of military experience. The evaluation may also be based on the “ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Experiences in the Armed Forces.” (Minnesota Statute 197.775, Subdivision 2, Higher Education Fairness).
3. Equivalent course credits may be applied to certificate, diploma, and/or degree programs as either a required course or as an elective course.

Subpart H: Educational Credit for other Training Programs and Nationally Recognized Tests

LSC may accept credit for the following training and national tests:

1. Business Training. Credit will be evaluated using the ACE College Credit Recommendation. A set per credit fee will be charged for the faculty evaluation.
2. Association of Administrative Professionals. Credit will be evaluated for successful completion of the CAP (Certified Administrative Professional) examination in the past seven years.
3. Thomas Edison College Examination Program (TECEP).
4. Excelsior Examinations.
5. New York University Foreign Language Proficiency (NYUFLP).
6. National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI).
7. World Language Seals and Certifications.
8. Continuing education/Customized training courses that are completed at Lake Superior College. There is no fee associated with this evaluation.
9. Digital badging. A set per credit fee will be charged for the faculty evaluation.
10. Programs with state and/or national certification(s) agreements, approved by the Lake Superior College program faculty and the Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs, follow the transfer process. A set per credit fee will be charged for the faculty evaluation if required.

Part 2: Fees

Associated set per credit fees will be reviewed and approved on a regular basis by the college president or designee. Fees will be posted on the forms annually.

Procedure History

Date Implemented: May 3, 2001; August 1, 2022

Date Reviewed/Revised:
October 10, 2012
November 15, 2016
September 7, 2021
March 16, 2022

President’s Signature Date: August 1, 2022